Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
SOUTH Africa’s traditional leaders have strongly condemned xenophobic violence and called for greater African unity, declaring that attacks on foreign nationals do not reflect the values of the country’s traditional leadership or its people
The delegation, which is in Zimbabwe, led by Chairperson of the South Africa Kings Council, King Ndamase Ndamase, is on a regional peace mission aimed at engaging African leaders to promote reconciliation and strengthen relations across the continent following the recent resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The high-level delegation includes King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the reigning monarch of the Zulu nation, who has already held talks with President Mnangagwa, underlining the importance both countries attach to restoring harmony and reinforcing Pan-African solidarity.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Monday, King Ndamase said the traditional leadership unequivocally rejects xenophobic violence and is committed to promoting peace among African nations.
“We came here to Zimbabwe to show that we as traditional leaders or real leaders of South Africa are against xenophobia. We are people who want to abide, who abide by the law, but the way things are done now in South Africa, we as real leaders are not part of it,” said King Ndamase.
“We are here to show peace and to show that we as black people or African people are one.”
The delegation’s visit follows a similar meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, where the Kings Council outlined their intention to engage with regional neighbours.
The King said while they do not condone illegal immigration, violence is not the solution.
“We are not saying illegal immigrants are doing the right way of coming to South Africa illegally, but xenophobia and violence is not something which the real leaders of South Africa want,” he said.
“We want to engage with all the presidents and all the real leaders out of South Africa so that we as different tribes, different nations, we speak and talk in one language and talk as one family.”
The South African traditional leaders’ plea comes against a backdrop of recurring xenophobic violence that has strained diplomatic ties and caused widespread panic among foreign nationals.
The attacks have often been sparked by frustrations over high unemployment and crime, with foreigners being scapegoated for the country’s economic woes.
President Ramaphosa has consistently condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of the values of Ubuntu and human dignity.
The current wave of unrest has particularly affected Zimbabweans, who form a significant portion of the diaspora living in South Africa.
During previous flare-ups, such as the 2015 attacks, over 1 000 Zimbabweans were repatriated, and hundreds were displaced. While official figures for the latest repatriation efforts are still being compiled, the Zimbabwean Government has stood ready to assist its citizens wishing to return home.
King Ndamase stressed that the violence is being perpetrated by a small group of individuals and should not be viewed as representative of South Africa’s Government, traditional leadership or its broader population.
“It is just a few people who are responsible for these actions. It does not come from the Government, nor does it come from the real leaders,” he said.
The king called for dialogue and cooperation among African nations to address migration challenges without resorting to violence.
“There are many ways that we can talk and resolve these issues. We can strengthen our relationships across Africa, work together, solve problems together and build one united continent as one people,” he said.
The latest wave of xenophobic violence has reignited painful memories of previous attacks, particularly those of 2008, 2015 and 2019, which claimed lives, displaced thousands of foreign nationals and strained diplomatic relations within the Southern African region.
President Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned xenophobic attacks, describing them as contrary to the values of Ubuntu, human dignity and the spirit of African solidarity.
President Mnangagwa has also maintained that his administration stands ready to receive and support citizens returning home, with Government coordinating repatriation and reintegration programmes through an inter-ministerial response framework.
